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Bahrain-Saudi causeway traffic tops 9.6m last year

MANAMA, May 8, 2015

More than 9.6 million vehicles crossed the Bahrain-Saudi Arabia King Fahad Causeway in both directions last year.

General Directorate of Traffic director-general Shaikh Nasser bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa released the updated figures, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

He pointed out that copies of the new traffic law and stickers featuring safety tips were distributed to Gulf visitors as part of efforts to enhance their awareness.

He announced that a campaign would soon be launched to crack down on parking violations or double parking, pointing out that penalties incurred by such infractions have become tougher under the new law.

Shaikh Nasser stressed Bahrain's dire need for multi-storey parking, particularly in hospitals and ministries.

He cited the Diplomatic Area, Hoora, Muharraq and Manama as the most traffic congested in Bahrain, pointing out that installation of hi-tech metres could help ease parking problems.

He urged commuters heading to heavily-crowded areas, such as Manama, to use public transport.

The director-general revealed plans to purchase 220 vehicles for the directorate, including mounted cranes, police patrol cars, vehicles for escorting VIP people and other equipment.

Plan

He also unveiled a plan to read car plates in Bahrain using hi-tech Australian-made cameras.

"The cutting edge technology will enable police to monitor traffic violators and identify people wanted for justice," he said.

The hi-tech cameras have been tested to crack down on drivers who jump the red light or violate the speed limit or yellow boxes.

Specialised security teams have also used the hi-tech cameras to identify wanted fugitives and arrest them and bring them to justice.

These Australian-made cameras are highly functional as they can be fixed or mounted in cars to monitor traffic discretely.

"This camera turns the car in which it's fitted into a mobile operation room," he said.

A total of 306,543 visitors entered Bahrain between April and last Wednesday.

Of these, 251,928 arrived via King Fahad Causeway, 54,230 landed at Bahrain International Airport and 385 docked at Bahrain's seaports. - TradeArabia News Service




Tags: Bahrain | Saudi | vehicle | Visitor | causeway |

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